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Your passport is a very important legal document that confirms not just your nationality but your identity and address as well. It’s also an essential travel document that allows you to travel to other countries for education, work, or holidays.
Therefore, you must keep your passport updated and current to ensure a hassle-free and seamless travel.
Note that the Indian passport has a validity of 10 years. Also, travel requirements mandate a passport validity of a minimum of 6 months. So, ensure you renew your passport well on time to avoid last-minute rush and delays.
Renewing your passport is a straightforward process. Check out this article where we’ve listed all the details on renewing your passport, additional considerations, documents required and more.
Renewing Your Passport
Indian passports are typically valid for 10 years from the date of issue. Passports of minors (under 18 years of age) are valid for 5 years only.
You can renew your passport only in the following situations:
- Change in existing personal details
- The passport has expired within the last 3 years or is due to expire within one year
- You are running out of visa pages in your passport
- The passport is damaged
- The passport is lost or stolen..
| If you are looking for more information about applying for a fresh passport, explore our article. |
When to renew your passport?
If your passport has expired or is about to expire, it’s time to renew it. You can renew your passport up to 1 year before its expiry or within 3 years of the passport expiration date.
It is recommended to renew your passport well in advance (1 year before expiry) so you don’t face any issues in travel.
Further, it’s advisable not to apply for passport renewal (or, even a new one) during summer or winter holidays as they are considered peak travel times and could lead to longer processing times and potential delays.
Documents required for passport renewal
The following documents are required to apply for a reissue or a renewal of the passport:
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Document |
Description |
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Identity proof |
Aadhaar card, Voter ID, PAN card |
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Address proof |
Electricity, water, telephone, or postpaid mobile phone bills, gas bills, rental agreements, bank statements or photo passbooks, Aadhaar card, Election Commission photo ID card, passport copy of spouse, copy of parent’s passports (for minors) |
|
Proof of nationality |
IT assessment certificate, employer certificate, employment ID, Aadhaar card, IT returns, or proof of income tax payment (last 1 year) |
|
Old passport |
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Age proof |
Valid birth certificate, school leaving certificate, secondary school leaving certificate, certificates from recognised school boards |
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Educational qualifications |
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Proof of marriage/dependency |
If married, show proof of marriage via a marriage certificate If you have any dependent children, then submit:
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Photographs |
Latest passport-sized photographs to be verified by the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) |
Steps to Renew Your Passport
Follow these steps to renew (reissue) your passport:
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Go to the Passport Seva portal.
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Register and create your account if you don’t have an account already.
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Click New User Registration on the passport seva home page and provide your details
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Create a login ID and password to the portal
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Log in to your account on the portal using the credentials you provided during account creation.
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Click Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport.
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To apply online, select Click here to fill the application form
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Select the Re-issue of Passport option and click Next.
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Select the reason for the reissue request.
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Provide other details as required.
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Upload all the necessary documents.
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Submit the form.
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Click View Saved/Submitted Applications.
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Pay the fees and schedule an appointment at the PSK. Click Pay and Schedule Appointment.
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Select the online payment method (default) and click Next.
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Select your desired PSK and click Next.
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The earliest available date for your appointment is displayed on the screen. To change this, select another date from the calendar.
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Click Pay and Book Appointment.
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Select your preferred mode of payment - credit/debit card, net banking, or UPI.
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On successful payment, a confirmation message is displayed on the screen.
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Click Print Application Receipt to print or download the receipt. You will need the Application Reference Number to track your renewal status.
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If required, you can request an SMS to be sent to you regarding your appointment by clicking Get Appointment SMS.
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Visit the selected PSK on the date you choose for your appointment.
| Here are the top reasons for passport rejection in India. |
Special considerations
There are additional considerations for passports of minor children. Applicants under 18 years of age are deemed as minors. Note the following points in case of such dependents:
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The validity of a minor’s passport is 5 years.
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For a minor to obtain a passport, it is mandatory to get the consent of both the parents (even if one parent is residing abroad) or legal guardians:
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Both parents should sign Annexure D
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Both parents should be present at the PSK along with the minor applicant. If one parent is not available, then another parent can be present at the PSK with both passports
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If one parent's consent cannot be obtained (due to separation, divorce, death, etc.,), then sufficient reason must be furnished via Annexure C
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In the case of single parents, the name of one parent can be given in the online application form.
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To include names of step-parents (in cases where the biological parent or parents are not available), the applicant must submit:
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A declaration on plain paper stating that the applicant does not want the names of biological parents to be included on the passport, only the step-parent names
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Educational or any public document of the step-parents where their names are mentioned against parental names
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The marriage certificate of the parent if they are applying for a minor
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Death certificate if one biological parent is deceased
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Cost of Passport Renewal
For passports of 36 pages, the normal fee is INR 1,500. For 60 pages, it is INR 2,000.
Tatkal passport issuance fee is INR 3,500 for a 36-page booklet and INR 4,000 for 60 pages. For the latest fee, check the Passport Seva portal.
Tracking the Renewal Status
You can track your application status from the Passport Seva portal’s home page.
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Login to the passport seva portal.
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Click Track Application Status.
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Select the Application Type as Passport.
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Provide the application reference number (ARN) and date of birth.
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Click Track Status.
Alternatively, you can register for SMS notifications during your application or call the National Call Centre. You can also email their helpdesk for updates.
Checklist
Here’s a list of items that you must take to a PSK for your appointment:
- Printed receipt of the online Application Reference Number (ARN)
- Passport fee payment receipt
- Originals of necessary documents along with self-attested photocopies like Aadhaar, PAN, bills, etc.
- Two latest passport-size coloured photographs (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm) on a white background
- Existing or old passport
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the passport renewal processing time?
After you visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) for your appointment, you will get the passport within 30 days or less. Typically, you may receive it within 10 days.
Tatkal passports are processed earlier, within 10 days.
Is police verification required for passport renewal?
It depends on whether the passport application is for a new one or a reissue. However, pre-police verification is required in most cases. Please check with the passport office or the portal for more details.
How will I get my renewed passport?
Generally, you will receive your passport by speed post.
What’s the cost of the police clearance certificate (PCC)?
The cost of the PCC is INR 500.
Where can I submit my passport application?
Passport applications are only accepted online.
How to add the name of my spouse to my passport?
To add your spouse’s name or change your personal details, you must apply for passport renewal or reissue.
| Recommended reading: |
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Tips for maintaining your passport |
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